Metallica’s “Nothing Else Matters” reached number six on the UK Singles Chart.
The song was released as the third single from Metallica’s 1991 album, known as The Black Album, on April 20, 1992. It became one of the band’s best-known power ballads and demonstrated that Metallica could achieve major success with a slower, more openly melodic song.
James Hetfield and Lars Ulrich are credited as composers, and Hetfield wrote the lyrics. The song began as a private piece Hetfield wrote while separated from the band during touring, but it was eventually developed into a full Metallica recording.
Kirk Hammett does not play guitar on the studio recording, although he appears in the music video and performs the song live. The track also features orchestral arrangement by Michael Kamen and the London Symphony Orchestra, adding a broad, dramatic texture to the final arrangement.